François Bozizé

François Bozizé (1946- ) is the current dictator of the Central African Republic and this country's 6th ruler (counting the second term of David Dacko[?]).

Kolingba's Rule and the Elections During the military rule of André Kolingba[?], Bozizé actively supported the opposition, leading a coup in 1983. The coup failed, however, and Bozizé suffered grotesque torture. Like Ange-Félix Patassé (the man whom he would later depose), Bozizé spent most of this time in exile in Togo.

Kolingba held elections in 1993, and Bozizé became a candidate. He lost to Patassé, who became president.

Supporting Patassé For many years, Bozizé was considered a supporter of Patassé. The military leader helped the president suppress revolts in 1996 and 1997. Bozizé was then named the Armed Forces Chief of Staff.

Bozizé showed no activity against Patassé and frequently crushed revolts against the president.

Against Patassé However, in May 2001, Bozizé led a coup against Patassé. It was crushed with the help of Libyan troops, but Bozizé refused to answer questions and in November he fled to Chad with 300 supporters.

From Chad, Bozizé frequently made raids into the Central African Republic throughout 2002. In October, he launched an attack on the capital, Bangui. With the help of Libya and the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (a rebel group from the Republic of the Congo), Patassé was able to stop the attack.

Patassé accused President Idriss Déby[?] of Chad of helping the rebels, a charge which Déby denied.

The Final Coup Patassé went to a meeting in Niger but he was not able to return. Bozizé and his troops had taken control of the country and the airport. By now, about 50 people have been killed.

Patassé took refuge in Cameroon and then Togo.